INSIDE RIO DE JANEIRO'S SAMBODROMO, CARNAVAL 2013 AND THE SAMBA SCHOOL THAT WON 2013'S COMPETITION, PLUS MUCH MORE

Rio de Janeiro Carnaval 2013 (Click Image To Enlarge)

Inside Rio de Janeiro's Famous Sambodromo

If you have ever wondered what it would look like from ground-level inside Rio de Janeiro's Sambrodomo, the place where the samba schools parade in annual competitions during Carnaval, then let the below Google Map image load, then left click on your mouse pointer to move down the parade promenade of Sambodromo.   Use the right click button of your mouse to move around to look at the grandstands and to reverse course.  That's what it looks like during Carnaval.  

Click To Enlarge And Left Click On Your Mouse To Move Forward Through The Sambodromo

The Samba School of Vila Isabel Wins Carnaval 2013 Competition

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Late on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 13th, G.R.E.S. Unidos de Vila Isabel was declared the Champion of the 2013 Rio de Janeiro Carnival competition, marking the third championship victory for the samba school and the close of this year’s Carnival.

 

Vila Isabel amazed the crowds and judges alike with their presentation of the Endredo (Theme), “A Vila canta o Brasil, celeiro do mundo – Água no feijão que chegou mais um” (The Vila sings Brazil, world’s breadbasket – Add more water to the beans, one more has arrived) when they paraded last during the final night of competition on Monday, February 11th. 

Lead by famous Carnavalesca (Carnival Designer) Rosa Magalhães, the parade was filled with brightly colored costumes and elaborate floats.

The school also featured a Samba-Enredo (Theme Song) that was praised for being catchy and sung well throughout the parade. Known for its famous composers in the past, the school won for best samba-enredo this year with the aid of famous contemporary Brazilian composer Arlindo Cruz.

The tallying of the votes held at the Sambódromo was broadcast live. It was a tight competition with the schools; Vila Isabel, Beija-Flor, Unidos da Tijuca (the 2012 champion) and Empress Leopoldinense tied at the beginning.

Popular favorite Mangueira had been penalized due to failing to finish their parade on time and São Clemente was criticized for using station logos during their tribute to the Prime Time block of programming but did not ultimately receive point deductions by LIESA.

Vila Isabel fans in attendance at the Sambódromo during tallying of the votes – and those gathered in the samba school’s Quardra (rehearsal hall) in the neighborhood of Vila Isabel in the city’s Zona Norte (North Zone) – began chanting “a campeã voltou” (the champion returns) during the announcements of the samba-enredo scores. Shortly thereafter, it was officially announced that Vila Isabel had won the 2013 competition.

Vila Isabel will be parade once again along other five top schools (Beija-Flor, Unidos da Tijuca, Imperatriz, Salgueiro and Grande Rio) during the Champions Parade on Saturday, February 16th at the Sambódromo.

Here's the list of the winners of Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval for 2012 and 2013:

List of Winners - Rio de Janeiro Carnaval for 2012 and 2013 (Click Image To Enlarge)

COMMENTARY:   If you are considering making a trip to Rio de Janeiro to experience Carnaval first hand, I recommend that you start making your reservations now.  Ticket reservations for the samba school competitions held in the Sambodromo for the 2014 Rio de Janeiro Carnaval are now on sale.  You can find out more by clicking HERE.   The site also provides information about the history of Carnaval, Carnaval Packages (hotel accommodations, tours, Carnaval balls and Carnaval parade tickets at the Sambodromo), the names of the samba schools competing in the 2014 Rio de Janeiro Carnaval, information about the Sambodromo, Carnaval costumes, and many other valuable information. 

Pictures of the 2013 Rio de Janeiro Carnival can be viewed HERE.  

Courtesy of  an article dated February 14, 2013 appearing in Rio Times